The ink had barely dried on the marriage contract when Elira departed her homeland.
She stood at the bow of the royal ship, the cold wind biting against her skin as the coastline of Elyndor faded behind her. Her kingdom, once proud and mighty, was now no more than broken walls and oaths. She wasn't leaving on her own will; she was leaving because survival demanded it.
Because the alliance was the only thing left standing between her people and ruin.
Elira tightened her hands around the railing. The waves crashed and churned, mirroring the storm inside her.
Marry Prince Kael of the Empire. Save the kingdom. Bind herself to a stranger — all for duty.
There was no room for hesitation now
She promised herself that she would not be weak like her mother.
By the time the Empire's towering white cliffs came into view, Elira's heart was a stone in her chest.
The Empire of Solvelyn. Ruthless. Untouchable. Prosperous. Everything her kingdom no longer was.
As the ship pulled into the harbor, a small reception awaited them—imperial guards in silver armor gleaming under the sun, banners of the golden sun emblem fluttering proudly. And at the center of them stood a man.
Prince Kael.
He wore black and crimson, His presence was commanding, his expression unreadable. A scar traced a thin line from the corner of his left brow to his temple. His golden hair caught the wind, but there was nothing soft about him.
Elira descended from the ship, her back straight with her head held high. She felt the weight of a thousand eyes on her, measuring her worth, judging every breath she took.
Kael's gaze met hers.
It was sharp. Cool. Calculating.
And something else, something that made the air between them tense.
A silent assessment. An unspoken challenge.
Elira curtsied with mechanical grace, keeping her expression calm. She could not afford to show fear—not here, not now.
Your Highness, she said, voice smooth as silk over steel.
Kael inclined his head. Princess Elira. Welcome to Solvelyn.
There was no warmth in his voice, only the crisp precision of a man raised on politics and power.
I'm glad to meet you. I look forward to our future.
Just the hard, necessary exchange of two players making a deal.
A deal written in duty, not affection.
Elira's lips curved into a perfect, calculated, hollow smile.
As you say, Your Highness.
Around them, the imperial court murmured and whispered behind embroidered fans.
Already, they were dissecting her: the foreign princess who dared step into their empire.
Elira only raised her chin higher.
She hadn't come for their approval.
She had come to save her people.
And if it meant standing beside a man who looked at her like she was both weapon and threat, then so be it.